Are you getting ready to sell your home in 2023? There are so many simple and affordable ways to improve your home's value. For starters, here are 5 quick updates, which when done in the right way, always provide a great return on investment:

#1) Brighten your space with a fresh coat of paint. 

#2) Replace dated flooring with a modern and inexpensive flooring product.

#3) Jazz up your kitchen with new cabinet hardware. 

#4) Swap out old light fixtures with new and affordable light fixtures. 

#5) Remove dated curtains and blinds and let the natural light pour in. 

We're always available for a complimentary cosmetics consultation. And we're here to help you select finishes, choose colors, and connect you with quality contractors, too. Just

What's trending in the Madison area condo market? Our latest Dane County condo update offers a nice summary of all of the latest trends, and without any exaggeration or spin. 

Madison area condo prices

The median price for a Dane County condo increased by 12 percent year-over-year while the price per square foot increased by 20 percent. Why do Dane County condo prices continue to rise? One big reason is the recent slowdown in new MLS listings (covered in the next section below). 

New condo listings

Only 78 Dane County condos were listed for sale in November, which was the second lowest total on record for the month, and a decrease of 24% from the number of new listings in November of 2021. Mortgage rates have increased in 2022, which has

Two years ago, our team made a commitment to become more intentional about the ways in which we spend our money and time on a local level. As we reflect on another year of investing in the communities we serve, we wanted to share a few updates from some of the organizations that we’ve volunteered for, collaborated with, donated to, sponsored, or highlighted in our monthly nonprofit articles in 2022. 

Several of the nonprofits that we partner with focus on promoting social and racial justice, providing affordable housing, and protecting the environment. This year, the impacts of the pandemic and inflation led us to spotlight even more organizations that address ending hunger, homelessness, and social isolation. 

Foundation for Dane County Parks:

With so many confusing headlines in the world of real estate, it can be hard to know who and what to believe. Our latest market update offers plenty of insight into the Madison area real estate market -- and without any of the spin. Here's our single family home report for the month of November, 2022. 

Madison area home prices

The price per square foot increased 13 percent year-over-year, while the median price increased 10 percent. Why do prices continue to post double-digit increases? One big reason is fewer homes are being listed for sale, which we cover in the next section below. 

New MLS listings

Only 235 single family homes were listed for sale in the month of November, a decrease of 33% from last November, and the lowest total on

Are you getting ready to begin the home-buying process? Realtor Max Woods has a weekly video series that simplifies the home-buying process for you. In one recent video, Max covers three great tips for anyone who's just getting started with their search.

3 showing tips from realtor Max Woods

Tip #1: Treat your showing as an opportunity to learn more about the surrounding area by going for a short walk or a short drive around the neighborhood. Who knows, you might even meet a few friendly neighbors?

Tip #2: Use your showings as a time to refine and clarify what you're looking for -- as you and your realtor discuss the features and finishes of each property you tour. 

Tip #3: Be mindful of home surveillance systems. Many homes are

How are home and condo prices trending in the Madison area? Here are a few observations which offer some good insight into the Dane County real estate market. 

For starters, home prices are trending higher at all points along the price spectrum.

Based on our review of the November numbers, home prices are up significantly at every point along the spectrum. At the lower end, the mid-range, and the high-end -- all price points are trending higher. 

Condo prices are trending higher, too. 

The median condo price in November was up 12 percent year-over-year, and prices were higher at every other point along the spectrum, too. 

What the numbers don't show.

What these numbers don't show is that some home and condo sellers are struggling

In a market like ours, it's whenever the perfect opportunity presents itself. It could be in the heart of the spring selling season, during the cooler fall season, or in the quiet of winter. You just never know when. 

Our clients Roger and Jennifer just learned this lesson when their perfect home became available right before the Thanksgiving Holiday. Their home search took a few weeks longer than they were planning for, but they're so glad that they remained patient and focused and had Chris Venden guiding them along their journey.

As Jennifer told us the other day, "Our new home is absolutely perfect for us. We're so glad that we didn't settle, this home is so worth the wait."

So, if you're planning to buy your dream home in 2023, here are

Invest in your sale.

By investing in your sale, we mean:

• Investing your time to study your market and select the right price. 
• Investing your resources into professional staging and smart cosmetic updates. 
• Investing your creativity into beautiful visual media, online media, and printed materials, too.
• And investing your expertise into an effective negotiation strategy.

Or you can hire a professional who will make all of these investments for you.

At Mad City Dream Homes, we help you sell your home for top dollar while making your experience as stress-free and as worry-free as possible. So we encourage you to call on us whenever you're in need of some guidance and support. We're here to serve as a resource for you and help

Don't confine your search to the springtime.

Instead, act as if your search is a 12-months-out-of-the-year endeavor. Because in a market like ours, you just never know when your dream home will become available. It could be in the heart of the spring selling season, during the cooler fall season, or in the quiet of winter. There's no telling when the perfect opportunity will present itself, and you want to be prepared to act as soon as your dream home hits the market.

Do you have questions about buying or selling a home in the Madison area? Please reach out to us whenever you're in need of a real estate conversation. We're here to be a resource for you and help you plan for your future.

Your friends at Mad City Dream Homes

Right now new Dane County listings are entering the market at a very slow pace.

Take single family homes, for example

Only 235 new listings were posted to the MLS in November, which was down 32% from a year ago, and was the lowest total for any month of November on record (our data goes back to 1999).

And Dane County condos

Only 74 new condominium listings were posted to the MLS in November, which was a decrease of 28% from a year ago, and the second-lowest total on record for the month.

Why are listings trending lower?

One huge reason is our recent history with mortgage rates:

From 2012 to 2021, homeowners and investors acquired real estate under very favorable terms, and refinanced at even better terms when mortgage rates